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Changes to blood donation criteria

Donor eligibility undergoes frequent revisions resulting in changes based on current scientific evidence. Donors who were previously deferred could now be eligible to donate.

Here are some changes to our criteria that have recently come into effect. Remember, if you have any questions or are not sure about your eligibility, please call to speak with one of our trained health professionals at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

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Thousands more Canadians may now be eligible to donate blood!

Latest updates

March 29, 2020:

There are new changes related to COVID-19. See our COVID-19 page for details.

January 27, 2020:

Malaria risk areas -- Malaria risk areas have been updated. Some previously unacceptable destinations no longer have deferral periods, such as Mazatlán and Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico. Visit our travel page to see if you are eligible to donate or call us 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to check your eligibility.

Zika risk– Antarctica (all countries) has been added to the list of destinations that are not a risk for Zika. Visit our travel page to see if you are eligible to donate or call us 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to check your eligibility.

September 29, 2019:

We introduced the following changes to make whole blood donation a smoother experience for donors and reduce unnecessary deferrals.

After their first donation, blood donors will no longer have their blood pressure measured before donating.

First time blood donors will have their blood pressure measured, but will not be deferred from donating for an out of range blood pressure.

Donors will not be deferred for having a low body temperature, but will still be deferred if they have a high body temperature during screening.

June 3, 2019:

Based on Health Canada approval, the blood donation eligibility criteria for men who have sex with men was been reduced from one year to three months across Canada. Read more.

August 27, 2018:

Heart conditions - If you have a heart condition such as a coronary artery disease or past heart attack, you may be able to donate after in the next 12 months if:

You haven't had any symptons

You don't have any physical restrictions

You haven't had surgery or medical procedures for your condition.

Malaria risk areas -- Malaria areas have been updated. Some previously unacceptable destinations no longer have deferral periods. Visit our travel page to see if you are eligible to donate or call us 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to check your eligibility.

Celiac - If you have celiac disease, you are now eligible to donate as long as you are feeling well on the day of your donation appointment.

April 23, 2018:

Tattoos and piercings - Your temporary deferral period after receiving a tattoo or piercing is now three months. Donors previously had to wait six months before they could become eligible to donate.

Microepilation – If you use a personal device for microepilation, you are eligible to donate. We no longer defer donors who have undergone microepilation.

Marijuana and alcohol - If you are sober, show no evidence of intoxication and can give an informed consent, you are eligible to donate. Prior to these changes, donors had to wait 12 hours after their resolution of intoxication. Many people believe that they are deferred because of past marijuana use, but that is not the case.

Hepatitis, jaundice - There is no longer a lifelong deferral for donors with hepatitis, other than hepatitis B or C. Many cases of hepatitis or jaundice have non-infectious causes or are caused by viruses (other than hepatitis B or C) that are non-infectious once resolved. We are now only asking for your recent history of hepatitis – in the last 6 months.

Recipients of blood and blood products (and sexual partners) - You are now eligible to donate blood after six months of receiving your last transfusion of blood or blood products. That previous deferral period was one year.
Also, we no longer ask donors or their sexual partners about clotting factor concentrates. In some cases, this allows previously deferred donors and their sexual partners give blood. If you have questions about your eligibility call to speak with one of our trained health professionals at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Epilepsy - You are now eligible to donate blood six months after your last seizure and, even earlier in some cases, if you are on medication to prevent seizures, provided the medication itself is acceptable under our eligibility criteria. You may call us at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to check.

Togo or Cameroon - We no longer ask if you or your sexual partner has visited Togo or Cameroon in the past year. This change is thanks to international HIV surveillance and the latest scientific evidence showing these areas are no longer at high risk of variant strains of HIV. Please note, there is still a chance that donors who have recently travelled to these countries may be deferred due to malaria risk.

These changes are safe for patients who rely on blood and blood products. All changes are based on the latest scientific evidence and approved by our regulator Health Canada.

While maintaining the safety of the blood supply, we aim to make blood donation as minimally restrictive as possible.

Previous changes

Age - There is no longer an upper age limit. If you have donated before and are over 71 and would like to book, give us a call! If you have never donated before, you can start donating at any time after your 17th birthday. It’s always the time to start Giving Life. Give us a call at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283)

Cancer - For most types of cancer, you can donate 5 years after your treatment is complete and you are cancer-free. These include breast, prostate, colon, thyroid and uterine cancer. And for skin cancer such as squamous cell or basal cell, you can donate after treatment. We’d love to see you. Book an appointment today.

Flu Shot - Getting the flu shot no longer means you can’t come in on the day of your shot. Book anytime.Book an appointment today.

Travel - There is other travel that can mean you can’t donate but don’t assume, you might be ok to donate! Learn more here: Travel

Medications - While taking some medications means you can’t donate, most are ok. Most common medications, such as ones used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or depression are all ok. So, if you are currently taking medication and want to know if you can give blood, check the top 40 acceptable and unacceptable medications first.

Men Who Have Sex With Men - Health Canada has approved our request to reduce the blood donation waiting period for men who have sex with men from five years to one year. The change took effect across the country on Aug. 15, 2016. Héma-Québec will also make the change at the same time. Learn more here: Men who have sex with men

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Canadian Blood Services acknowledges the funding of provincial, territorial and federal governments. The views expressed in this document are those of
Canadian Blood Services and do not necessarily reflect those of governments.